New Sylva: A Discourse of Forest and Orchard Trees for the Twenty-First Century

The New Sylva is a contemporary version of John Evelyn's 1664 book Sylva, the first comprehensive study of British trees. It is a fabulous resource that describes all of the most important species of tree that populate our landscape and is brought to life with breathtaking artwork from artist and co-author Sarah Simblet.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 400 pages
\n Publication date: 28 October 2021
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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The BBC Wildlife Book of the Month is a captivating masterpiece that unfolds like a delightful journey on every page. In 1664, the renowned horticulturist and diarist John Evelyn penned "Sylva," the pioneering exploration of British trees. Not only did it mark the world's earliest forestry book, but it also holds the distinction of being the inaugural publication by the Royal Society. Evelyn's elegant prose, rich with insights, still resonates with us today, though the world has undergone significant transformations since his era. Now, authors Gabriel Hemery and Sarah Simblet, drawing inspiration from the original work, have skillfully crafted a contemporary rendition—The New Sylva.

The result is a magnificent resource that unveils the most significant tree species that grace our landscape. Silvologist Gabriel Hemery delves into the profound cultural, environmental, and economic significance of trees in the first part of the book. These chapters are followed by forty-four meticulously detailed tree portrait sections, each showcasing the history and unique characteristics of trees like oak, elm, beech, hornbeam, willow, fir, pine, juniper, plane, apple, and pear. The pages of The New Sylva come alive with breathtaking artwork by artist and co-author Sarah Simblet, who captures the delicate, resilient, and awe-inspiring beauty of trees throughout the seasons through 200 exquisite drawings. The book's design, with an interplay of black and red type on creamy paper, evokes the charm of traditional bookmaking, while its message couldn't be more timely—a moment when we must rediscover the value and importance of our trees.

This edition of The New Sylva is adorned with illustrated endpapers and a ribbon marker, enhancing its visual appeal and making it an invaluable companion for nature enthusiasts and tree lovers alike.

\n Weight: 1578g\n
Dimension: 252 x 210 x 40 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526640109\n \n